LONGMONT, CO — The 2013 year marked another period of tremendous growth & expansion for Left Hand Brewing Company. The Colorado based brewery experienced their 8th consecutive year of double digit growth since 2006 and 3rd year as a Top 50 craft brewery, operating as the 38th craft brewery by volume. Left Hand grew by 32% in volume compared to the previous year, producing 65,879 barrels removed total in 2013.
Left Hand Brewing had a monumental twentieth year despite Mother Nature! In the weeks leading up to the brewery’s 20thanniversary, production was halted and the Longmont brewery came close to destruction as the mighty St. Vrain River raged to epic levels during the 500 year flood. After plenty of hard work and cleanup, the brewery was back on its feet and fundraising over $60K for CO Flood Relief. Four weeks later, Left Hand released two new beers to the Nitro series — Sawtooth Nitro andWake Up Dead Nitro to an audience of friends and peers. Left Hand finished the week, by taking home three gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival, the most medals the brewery has won since its first GABF in 1994. Moreover, the breweryraised $449,822 for community causes and emergencies and proudly established the Left Hand Brewing Foundation in 2013.
Left Hand has moved forward with growth development, continuing the brewery’s expansion plan. The brewery has purchased two additional Boston Avenue properties for future use, bringing the total Left Hand footprint to 8.5 acres. With production expansion in recent years, the brewery has begun distribution in upstate NY, Maryland and D.C. with plans to enter Western PA and Iowa later this year. The Left Hand team has also continued to grow, increasing staff from 88 at the end of 2013 to 94 today. New hires include Chain Sales Manager Thomas Ruprecht and Marketing Manager Sarah Watson, as well as the recent promotion of Jason Ingram to National Sales Manager. Ingram has been on the LHBC team for 5 years, recently operating as the East Coast Regional Sales Manager. Having recently spoke at Brewbound’s Brew Talk on industry service and loyalty, Ingram is well known for his sincere dedication to Left Hand’s network of wholesalers, retailers and customers. “It is a tremendous honor to continue my career with Left Hand, at such a pivotal time in the industry and the brewery’s history,”comments Ingram, “I look forward to my new role and continuing to get our great beer in people’s hands.”
Moving forward in 2014, the brewery is on pace for 85,000 barrels. After hosting 37 craft breweries at Hops & Handrails this pastSaturday, Left Hand is looking forward to another great year in the craft beer industry. Next week at the Craft Brewer’s Conference, Left Hand will host the industry concert, the FunKtion, in partnership with Lagunitas Brewing Company. “We are very fortunate to have had such success in recent years,” reflects VP of Operations Chris Lennert, “Being a part of the craft beer renaissance is an amazing thing and we look forward to future years with our fans and industry peers.”
About Left Hand Brewing Company
Celebrating twenty years of brewing a well-balanced portfolio of craft beers, Left Hand Brewing Company is located at 1265 Boston Avenue in Longmont, Colorado. Left Hand is one of the most honored and recognized breweries in the state, with over 21 Great American Beer Festival medals, 8 World Beer Cup awards, and 6 European Beer Star awards. Famous for their Nitro series, Left Hand Brewery is also the first and currently the only craft brewery to release a bottled nitrogenated beer. Left Hand’s collection of perennial and seasonal beers are available in 27 states. “Sometimes you’re not in the mood for what everyone else is having.”